Sponsored walk marks first anniversary of David Hart's death

Gavin Butler, 33, and a group of friends walked to York Minster from their home village of Greetland, near Halifax, in the summer.

They were marking the first anniversary of the death of David Hart, 23, of Poppleton, who was killed last year by an explosion while on foot patrol in Sangin, Helmand.

The team walked for two days, eventually arriving at the Minster on Saturday, July 9, which would have been David’s 25th birthday.

Their achievement was hailed by David’s father, Chris, as a “fantastic effort”, but Gavin said that while it had been gruelling, it was nothing compared to what servicemen and women were doing every day in Afghanistan.

The walk’s proceeds have been divided between the Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund, which benefits serving and retired Royal Marines and their dependants, and the York appeal, which aims to raise £200,000 to fund a new permanent monument in the city centre to highlight the regiments associated with the city who have fought in Afghanistan.

It will also list the names of all the York servicemen who have died there, including Marine Hart.

It will supplement a memorial stone already situated in the Memorial Gardens.

Another donation, for £515, has been given to the appeal by a woman who took part in a triathlon at Castle Howard in the summer.

The woman, who did not wish to be named, said she had raised the money in memory of another York serviceman who died in Afghanistan, Matthew Hatton, who was a family friend.

The appeal, which was launched in January, has now raised almost £7,000.

• Anyone wanting to donate to the memorial appeal can send cheques payable to The City of York Afghanistan Commemorative Appeal to Mike Laycock, The Press, 76-86 Walmgate, York YO1 9YN.

Please supply your name, address and a contact phone number if possible.

Anyone wanting to organise a fundraising event should email mike.laycock@thepress.co.uk or phone 01904 567132.